Off to the Emerald Isle? From North to South, you’ll find hidden treasures no matter which direction you take. Soak up the culture in Dublin or head out for a hike in Kerry. With our Ireland travel insurance, you’re covered from the get-go.
What is Ireland travel insurance and do you need it?
With its dramatic landscapes, Ireland offers adventures for every traveller. No wonder nearly 200,000 UK visitors take the short hop over the Irish Sea each month.
Ireland is a breeze to get to. But mishaps can happen even when you’re close to home. For example, thefts in the Republic of Ireland rose 12% to 74,144 incidents in 2023.
Travel insurance offers valuable protection if something goes wrong. While it’s not a compulsory entry requirement to Ireland, it has a whole range of benefits:
- Repatriation cover: Ireland and Britain are just 12 miles apart at the Irish Sea’s narrowest point. But medical repatriation from Ireland to the UK could still set you back around £3,500. Our Ireland travel insurance will cover your travel home.
- Delays or cancellations: Rough seas and unpredictable weather can make travel to Ireland tricky. Having travel insurance in Ireland can help cover the costs of flight or ferry delays.
- Protect your valuables: The Irish Tourist Assistance Service has reported a 10% increase in the number of tourists seeking help after being victims of crime. Travel insurance to Ireland covers damaged, lost or stolen belongings. Want to bring something particularly valuable? Take a look at our additional gadgets and valuables cover.
- Lets you do more: Hiking, surfing, cycling, sailing, golfing, take your pick. Our Ireland travel insurance policies cover you for over 100 popular activities at no extra cost. We also have optional extreme sports cover.
- Covers pre-existing medical conditions: We’ll consider all medical conditions, including diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer. And with no upper age limit, everyone can enjoy a holiday to Ireland with InsureandGo.
- Covers personal accident, liability and legal expenses: No one wants to think about having an accident while they’re on holiday. Travel insurance can help minimise legal costs for those unexpected issues.
Always check the latest FCDO advice for travel to Ireland and make sure you read our policy wording. It provides full terms and conditions, including what is and isn’t included with our cover.
What does InsureandGo’s Ireland travel insurance cover?
What’s covered?
Our travel insurance for Ireland includes:
- Medical emergency expenses.
- Cover for cancellation of your trip.
- Our 24-hour emergency assistance team, available to call, day or night, wherever you are
- Over 100 sports and activities covered (see your policy wording for a full list of activities)
- Personal belongings and baggage cover.
- Personal money, passports and travel documents cover.
- Accommodation cover.
- Legal expenses cover.
What’s not covered?
There are some situations travel insurance will not cover. For example:
- You cannot cover events or reasons to claim which took place before you booked the trip or purchased insurance. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside of the insured’s control
- Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60
- All of our travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip. There may, however, be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go
Find out about our optional add-ons for activities like extreme sports, cruises and golf. Please note: Our winter sports add on cover is only available to those under 65.
We will consider all pre-existing medical conditions. Find out more about medical travel insurance.
The excess and amount of cover available varies depending on the level of travel insurance you buy. Check the policy wording to see the full terms and conditions.
The best travel insurance for Ireland
Soak up the atmosphere in a cosy Cork pub. Explore the rugged beauty of the Cliffs of Moher. Your trip to Ireland can be every bit as laid-back or as action-packed as you choose. Tailor your travel insurance policy to your holiday with our optional extras.
- Planning a family reunion? Visiting friends and family is the number one reason people visit Ireland. Take out family travel insurance to put your whole crew on one policy. Or use group travel insurance to include friends or multiple families.
- Romantic mini break? Dublin’s a dream destination for duos. Choose travel insurance for couples for cover you can both share.
- Want to experience Ireland’s great outdoors? Our policies cover over 100 sports and activities at no extra cost. You can even get travel insurance for more extreme sports.
- Hitting the greens? Tee off on Ireland’s famous fairways with golf insurance to cover your kit.
- Cruising the Emerald Isle? Our cruise cover protects against costs of missed port departures and cabin confinement.
- Pursuing a passion? We have optional add-on cover for gadgets and valuables. Great if you wanted to take your camera or a musical instrument.
- Planning more than one adventure this year? The Republic of Ireland’s included in our European travel insurance. Picking an annual policy can cover trips to Spain and France. Or venture further, to Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
Make sure you read our policy wording for more information on what is and isn’t included.
Choose a cover level to suit your travel needs
| Black | Gold | Silver | |
| Medical expenses and repatriation | Unlimited | £15 million | £10 Million |
| Cancellation and curtailment | £10,000 | £7,500 | £5,000 |
| Travel delay | Up to £650 | Up to £540 | Up to £450 |
| Personal belongings | £5,000 | £2,500 | £2,000 |
| Legal Expenses | £60,000 | £50,000 | £15,000 |
| Standard Excess | Nil | £50 | £60 |
How to book our travel insurance for Ireland
It’s quick and easy to get travel insurance for Ireland holidays.
1. Tell us about your trip, who you want to cover and any pre-existing medical conditions.
You can do this online now or by calling our team:
2. Take a look at your quote
You can either save it for later or buy your cover straight away.
Russell Wallace – Travel insurance expert
“Ireland’s vibrant culture and stunning landscapes make it a captivating travel destination. But unexpected situations can crop up. Unpredictable weather can cause flight or ferry delays. You could lose your wallet in a busy Dublin street. As the GHIC card won’t cover these types of events, travel insurance is a must.”
Our customer reviews speak for themselves
Clear and easy to use website
“Clear and easy to use website. Asked the right questions in laymans terms, no hard to understand jargon. Wanted a one off single policy to cover Ireland and got a good price. I will be checking for my annual UK cover when my existing policy runs out.”
– Mr Keay
– Date of experience: 24 April 2024
Read what our customers think of us and see our 5-star reviews:
Travel insurance for Ireland with pre-existing medical conditions
The standard of healthcare in Ireland is similar to the UK. But travelling with a pre-existing medical condition can be a worry. At InsureandGo, we’ll consider all medical conditions, including diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer.
Our online medical screening process is simple. We’ll be able to give you a quote in no time.
You must declare your pre-existing medical conditions when you buy your Ireland travel insurance. Otherwise, you won’t be covered if you have an emergency related to your condition while away.
Want more information? Have a look at our page on travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions. Or read our policy wording.
Frequently asked Questions on Travel Insurance Ireland
Do I need travel insurance for Ireland?
Travel insurance isn’t required to visit Ireland. However, the UK government, FCDO and ABTA all recommend that you take out insurance for any holiday.
Ireland travel insurance means you’re covered for a range of issues that could arise on your trip, including:
- Medical expenses not covered by the GHIC card (or by the NHS in Northern Ireland)
- Personal accident and liability
- Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
- Abandoning your trip
- Delayed departure
- Accommodation cover
- Personal belongings and baggage
- Personal money, passport and travel documents
- Legal expenses
Make sure your policy includes enough cancellation cover for your trip. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you’ll need to declare it.
Like any destination, you should arrange quality travel insurance as soon as you book your trip to Ireland.
Do UK citizens get free healthcare in Ireland?
It depends on where in Ireland you’ll be travelling to. For UK citizens visiting Northern Ireland, the NHS functions as it does in Scotland, England or Wales.
The Republic of Ireland is within the European Union. To get the same medical care as you enjoy in the UK, you need a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is also valid if it’s still in date.
The GHIC or EHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment necessary during your trip. It doesn’t cover repatriation or private healthcare.
Do I need health or medical insurance to travel to Ireland?
Medical insurance is not a mandatory entry requirement for Ireland. And if you have a GHIC card, you’re entitled to the same healthcare as Irish nationals.
But while a GHIC card offers valuable healthcare cover in Ireland, it doesn’t include all health-related costs.
A GHIC card covers:
- Medically necessary state-provided healthcare on the same terms as local residents
- Any healthcare which can’t wait until you return to the UK.
- Emergency treatment, hospital stays, and doctor consultations
A GHIC card doesn’t cover:
- Treatment in a private hospital or clinic
- Ongoing or non-urgent treatment
- Non-medical expenses like lost luggage, trip cancellation, or travel delays
No one likes to think of the worst-case scenario. But securing the best travel insurance to Ireland lets you relax and enjoy your holiday.
Is there a difference between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in travel insurance?
Yes there is. The travel insurance you need will depend on where you’re visiting on the island of Ireland.
Travel insurance for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is part of the UK. It comes under our UK travel insurance policy.
Travel insurance for Southern Ireland
The Republic of Ireland (ROI) is an EU country. It comes under our European travel insurance policy.
How much does travel insurance for Ireland cost?
Ireland travel insurance tends to be cheaper than insurance for trips to, for example, the USA. Ireland is closer to the UK in distance, so repatriation costs are lower. And the GHIC card covers some medical expenses.
If you’re travelling to Northern Ireland from England, Scotland or Wales, policies tend to be cheaper still. As Northern Ireland is also part of the UK, British nationals can get the same NHS medical treatment.
However, several factors could impact how much you pay for your travel insurance to Ireland:
- The level of cover you choose: At InsureandGo we offer four levels of cover. With Budget, Silver, Gold and Black, we’re sure to have a policy to suit you.
- Whether you want an annual or single trip policy: Heading to Ireland just once? Single trip travel insurance could be more cost-effective. Taking multiple trips a year? Annual multi trip travel insurance could save you money. We include the Republic of Ireland in our European travel insurance. Northern Ireland is included in our UK travel insurance.
- Any policy add-ons you need: Are you planning on doing any of Ireland’s famous adventurous activities? If so, you might need additional coverage.
- Any pre-existing medical conditions: Pre-existing medical conditions can impact how much your travel insurance to Ireland costs. Existing health factors can increase your chance of needing repatriation, for example.
- Your age: Generally, travel insurance becomes more expensive as you get older.
- The length of your trip: In general, the longer you’re away from home the more you’ll pay for your policy.
Call our team on 0808 281 0594 or get a quick and easy quote online now.
Can I get assistance if I fall ill or injure myself while in Ireland?
Yes. If you need emergency medical treatment in Ireland, our 24-hour assistance team are always on hand to help you. All our travel insurance policyholders can contact our specialised team.
Do I need a visa to visit Ireland?
No. If you’re a British national you don’t need a visa to visit Ireland. You can find more information about visas and entry requirements for Ireland here.
Do I need a passport to enter Ireland?
No. Ireland and the UK are members of the Common Travel Area. You don’t need a passport to travel between the two countries. You will still need an approved photo ID, which officials will check.
There are several forms of accepted ID. The UK government advises using a valid UK passport. Some airlines or ferry companies will only accept passports, so check with them before you leave.
Who can buy an InsureandGo Ireland travel insurance policy?
Our Ireland travel insurance policies are available to UK residents. This means:
- Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
- They must be in the UK at the time of purchase
- All trips must start and end in the UK
Unfortunately, we can’t provide cover to anyone who doesn’t fit this description.
Get a quote online or browse our policy documents for more information.
Travel insurance guides
Frequently asked questions
If you’ve got more questions about how our Ireland travel insurance works, or more general travel insurance queries, have a read through our FAQs.
Travel advice
Our travel advice section offers handy tips and guides to specific countries, from what documents you need to what you might visit while you’re there.
Travel insurance reviews
If you want to know what our customers think of us, and why they rate us so highly, have a read through some of the reviews they’ve left us.